Detail Itinerary:
Day 01 :
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m.) which takes about seven hours. You depart for the seven hours drive to Pokhara (820m,), 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Manaslu, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty..
Day 02 :
Pokhara (820 m) - Tikhedhunga (1500m), drive via Nayapul.
3 - 3½ hours, 50m descend, 500m ascend
After breakfast at hotel, you could drive by car or van for 1 and half hours to Nayapul (1070m). Then you start your trekking. The first part of your trek is easy passing through numerous small villages and settlements. Afterwards you could ascend gently to the final destination of the day. The majority people here are Gurung and their religion is Buddhist. They are engaged in agricultural activities and animal husbandry, tourism business; some are employed in Gorkha and Indian regiments and overseas employment.
Day 03 :
Tikhedhunga (1500m) - Ghorepani (2900m)
6 - 6½ hours, 1400m ascend, 100m descend
To begin your trek, you could ascend steeply for the early 2 hours upto Ulleri (2010) and then ascend gently passing through Banthanti, Magar villages. On the way, you could see good view of Machhapuchhare or Fish Tail (6993m.), Hiunchuli (6441m.), and Annapurna South (7219m.). Now your trail is quite easier passing through rhododendron and shadowy trees and descends gently up to the final camp. You could see some of the wild life such as monkey and various species of birds.
Day 04 :
Ghorepani (2900m) – Poonhill (3200m), trek to Tatopani (1200m)
6 - 6½ hours, 1700m descend, 50m ascend
Early morning trip to Poon Hill (3200m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7555m.), Machhapuchhare (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6932m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast at Lodge you descend all the way to Tatopani via Chitre, Shikha & Ghara. After descending through the rhododendron forest, fine vistas open up as you approach Chitre, with the Dhaulagiri Range straight ahead. The path then leads through terraced fields to Sikha, a Magar village clustered on a ridge. You continue to descend, gradually at first and then more steeply to cross the Ghar Khola. After a short climb, you then cross the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and from here it is only a short distance upstream to Tatopani. Tatopani takes its name from the hot springs near the river below the village. Your route ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. You can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani as the word. Tatopati is termed after the natural hot spring situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki river. It is popularly believed that taking bath in Hot Spring helps you to get rid of skin diseases. Along this, it gives you physical and mental refreshment as well.
Day 05:
Tatopani (1200m) – Ghasa (2010m)
5 ½ - 6 hours, 810m ascend, 50m descend
Trek from Tatopani (1200m.) to Ghasa and it takes about five and half to six hours. Your route ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, towards the village of Dana, which is surrounded by orange groves. From autumn to winter, baskets of these oranges are offered for sale to passing travelers. Just beyond the small hamlet of Ruptse, a thundering waterfall cascades down beside the trail. From here, the trail enters the steepest and narrowest section of the gorge, but the layered stone path is well-constructed and wide. When the rock cliffs end, you descend to the river before making the short climb back up to Ghasa. This is the first Thakali village you come across and the houses here are all built in the flat-roofed Tibetan style. Ghasa is a popular place for Bird lovers.
Day 06 :
Ghasa (2010m) – Kalopani (2535m)
2 - 2 ½ hours, 525m ascend, 50m descend
Trek from Ghasa (2010m.) to Kalopani which takes about two and half hours. The trail continues to ascend and pass through Lete at 2470m, shortly before arriving at Kalopani, where you obtain superb views of the Nilgiri peaks, Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri I and Tukuche Peak.
Day 07 :
Kalopani (2535m) – Tukuche (2590m)
3 ½ - 4 hours, 60m ascend, 20m descend
Trek from Kalopani (2535m.) to Tukuche and it takes about three and half to four hours. This day you start the trek by crossing to the eastern side of the river, but cross back again further up the trail before entering Larjung at 2560m. The trail continues on a short distance to the interesting village of Khobang with its narrow alleyways. Then you reach at the ancient Thakali village of Tukuche at 2590m. Tukuche is the main business centre in between Tibet and South India in the ancient.
Day 08 :
Tukuche (2590m) – Jomsom (2720m)
3 - 3 ½ hours, 130m ascend, 50m descend
Trek from Tukuche (2590m.) to Jomsom which takes about three to three and half hours. You trek through almost flat level. On the way, you see the apple, peaches, walnut orchard which looks very fascinating. As you trek, you come across many Thakali villages such as Syang, Marpha and so on. Late morning onward, the Kali Gandaki valley is featured as windy areas. In Marpha, you can visit Tibetan Refugee camp. The people living here wander to sell their Tibetan goods to the visitors. It is one of the sources of their income.
Day 09 :
Jomsom (2720m) – Kagbeni (2800m)
2 - 2 ½ hours, 80m ascend, 20m descend
Trek from Jomsom (2720m.) to Kagbeni and it takes about two to two and half hours. You begin your trek to Kagbeni following along the bank of Kali Gandaki river. En route, you pass through arid part of Kali Gandaki river.
Day 10 :
Kagbeni (2800m) – Muktinath (3800m)
4 - 4 ½ hours, 1000m ascend, 20m descend
Trek from Kagbeni (2800m.) to Muktinath (3800m) which takes about four to four and half hours. The Trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred Meters. While gradually walking you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, Caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, Sheep Herds and so on. You can look at Thorong La valley straight up to the Muktinath. You can enjoy delicious lunch at Jharkot (3550m) and visit Monastery believed to be built in 15th century. Now you head towards Muktinath following steep ascend path for one hour. You stay overnight at Muktinath village. From here you hike to Rani Pauwa (3800m.), an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here you come across Natural flaming which really exhilarates you. At this point, you can see splendid view of Dhaulagiri (8165m), Nilgiri (7061m.) and others. Now you walk for fifteen minutes to reach Muktinath Temple, where you can enjoy a holy bath of 108 Taps. The people of Kagbeni, Jharkot and Muktinath are close to the life style, culture, religion and idea of Tibetan people.
Day 11 :
Muktinath (3800m) – Jomsom (2720m)
4 ½ - 5 hours, 1100m descend, 100m ascend
Trek from Muktinath (3800m.) to Jomsom (2720m) and it takes about four and half to five hours. You now begin the trek descend down the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar villages with typical Tibetan architecture, you follow path steeply down to Kagbeni, a primitive village famous for Tibetan architectures. People living there follow the Tibetan life style and culture. There is situated a monastery said to belong to 15th Century. Now your trail passes through the bank of Kali Gandaki passing through the Eklebhatti. The trail is windy after late morning. The river flows through broader course. Jomsom is the headquarter of Mustang and it is split into two towns and between these two towns passes through Kali Gandaki river. There is access of internet and banking facilities. From Jomsom, you can enjoy the magnificent views of Nilgiri and Tilicho peak. Here you stay overnight at hotel.
Day 12 :
Fly Jomsom to Pokhara, which takes about 20 minutes. Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Manaslu, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty..
Day 13 :
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city.
You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes approximately 25 minutes.
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